Professional Academic Advisor for Business-Related Majors

At Westminster College, we believe in immersive and enriching experiences that inspire creative thinking and problem solving. We believe in creating opportunities for several different paths to success over a lifetime and the potential to make an impact from wherever you are. For our students, we do this by providing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes, and talented professors dedicated to the individual. Our employees often remark that our tight-knit community creates an atmosphere fostering campus involvement that adapts to all interests. As a result, Westminster continues to be recognized for its excellence in higher education as one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

The Professional Academic Advisor (PAA) plays a key role in helping students transition into the academic programs offered by the Business Department. The PAA supports students in planning their degree pathways, connects them with campus resources, and ensures they stay on track toward graduation. Additionally, the PAA fosters student engagement in curricular, co-curricular, and experiential activities that contribute to their academic and professional development. Success in this role requires close collaboration with all faculty members in the program to effectively support students and help them achieve their academic and career goals.

This position supports a caseload of 120 to 150 declared students (from their 2nd or 3rd semester through graduation) in the Business Department. As a member of the Student Success Center team, the Professional Academic Advisor (PAA) also responds to walk-in student inquiries and collaborates on various administrative tasks. The PAA fosters student-centered relationships between the Business Department and the services provided at the Student Success Center. This position reports directly to the Associate Dean of Student Success.

Essential Functions:

• Advise students regarding academic requirements in the programs offered by the department, including evaluating incoming credit, creating customized course schedule, and assisting the student with course registration
• Use a life-coaching mindset to help the student adjust to the rigor of Business-oriented majors and thrive throughout their academic career
• Work closely with the Coordinator of Employer Connections to secure internships for the students in the program and prepare them to apply for jobs and graduate schools
• Develop, coordinate, and assess diversified programming for declared students
• Actively track and monitor integrated student success and retention benchmarks and perform outreach intervention when students are off-track
• Use the early alert system and support the Student Persistence Team when students in the Business Department present persistence risks
• Keep accurate and detailed advisee records
• Partner and communicate effectively with key campus offices, such as Student Life, Reeves Library etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s preferred. For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, 3 years of experience working with students in an academic capacity.

Experience: 3 years of experience with academic advising. Knowledge of educational theory and principles, and experience in practical application of counseling techniques in a college advising environment.

Skills:

• Strong ability to learn fast, analyze, apply, and explain information about departmental and college courses and majors, policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Demonstrated skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving and in assisting students develop these skills as well
• Strong ability in reasoning and developing original ideas to solve problems
• Skills and abilities in conflict resolution, exercising sound judgement, tact, cultural sensitivity, and diplomacy
• Ability to identify and develop appropriate strategies in relation to specific student populations and meet the needs of various groups and individuals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including active listening.
• Proven tact and diplomacy in working with diverse populations, including parents, students, faculty, campus administrators, and the public.
• Ability to learn and use proficiently office computer technology (including internet technology and web-based systems) and campus administrative computing systems, and the ability to update and maintain those skills as required.
• Proven ability to organize work and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to take appropriate initiative, work independently, and exercise professional judgment.
• Demonstrated referral and liaison skills and recognition and maintenance of confidentiality. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Health Savings Account and/or Flex Spending Account
• Supplemental options: Short-term disability, Hospitalization, Accident, and Critical Illness
• Stand-alone EAP program
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Tuition remission or exchange programs
• Sick and Vacation time
• Paid Holidays (15 each year)

Westminster College encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The College is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The College does not discriminate in access to, treatment of, or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, disability, or genetic information.

Inquiries about compliance with this prohibition should be directed to:

Associate Vice President & Chief HR Officer/Title IX Coordinator

501 Westminster Ave, Washington West, 2nd floor

Fulton, MO 65251

HR@Westminster-mo.edu

573-592-5226